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Professional OpinionsWHAT THE EXPERTS SAY ABOUT ANIMALS IN ENTERTAINMENT, INDUSTRY, SPORT AND RECREATION
Organizations that are members of the Animal Welfare Council are constantly monitoring animal welfare guidelines and programs to insure that all animals used are provided proper care and management. The horse industry has been forced in recent years to deal with many animal welfare issues facing the use of equine in many different disciplines. A hot topic has included the classification of horses. There is a spirited debate between those who feel horses should be classified as livestock (which is the case in most laws on the books) or whether they should be reclassified as companion animals because some people think of their horses as pets. The American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Horse Council have released a while paper on the subject and that can be accessed at: http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.asp?fid=555&dpt=3&textfield=horses+as+livestock The use of animals in rodeo is a favorite target of critic groups. The sport of rodeo employs thousands if not millions of animals who are bred specifically for rodeo competition in the various rodeo events. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) chooses to turn to the experts when answering questions regarding the care and treatment of rodeo livestock at PRCA sanctioned events. The experts are the on-site rodeo veterinarians who are required by PRCA rules to attend each rodeo performance. Surveys conducted by these independent, on-site rodeo vets have consistently shown the rate of injury to rodeo animals to be statistically negligible. To see the results of the latest survey and comments from rodeo veterinarians go to: http://www.prorodeo.com/Sport/Animals/5.injurySurvey.html The Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU) ranching industry is one of the most highly self-regulated animal industries. To view opinions of equine veterinarians who have inspected equine ranching operations go to:http://www.naeric.org/reports_opinions.asp The President of the American Veterinary Medical Association visited
the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the Ringling Elephant Conservation
Center. After his observations Dr. Howell published a commentary in
the Journal of American Veterinary Medicine that stated in part, "Guidelines
such as those issued by the PRCA and Ringling Brothers and Barnum &
Bailey Circus can serve as effective models for other groups and individuals
using animals in entertainment.” To see the entire commentary go
to: Animal rights activists have been promoting a campaign to change the
language in many local ordinances and state laws to elevate the status
of animals. This law would change wording in laws to create the title
of animal “guardian” to replace animal “owner.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association has taken a position that
this campaign will not help animals. To read the entire position statement
go to: http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jul03/030701i.asp |
While
many critic groups continue to pass false propaganda as fact, those
who use animals in entertainment, industry, sport and recreation depend
on documented information compiled by experts. In all animal industries,
veterinarians and behavior experts speak out on the well-being of animals
that interact with humans in a number of ways.